ok so ive been thinking about it for a long time and i want to purchase a dSLR to take some pictures. always had an interest in it but never really had a good camera to use. canon s110, canon sd400.

anyways what cameras should i consider? the ones i have in mind are the new Canon 400D or the Nikon D80.

should i go with their older ones? the 350D or D70s?

should i go with new or used?

and should i go with the kit version that includes the lens? or should i buy the body only and buy a separate lens? if so what lenses would you recommend?

what type of gear would i need, only thing i can think of for starters would be a tripod. what about filters?

ohh yea i dont really have much of a budget for gear and lenses cause my budget is at most $1000 (probably rules out the D80 thou)



i pretty much just want to get a basic dSLR camera and learn with that.

 

The D80 is probably out of your price range by a couple hundred, but the XTi goes for $899 with the kit lens. Try both of them out before you make your decision. Used is fine and you'll probably save a couple hundred bucks in the process.

I recommend that you just get the kit lens for either the Nikon or Canon to start. There is so much to learn with a new SLR that the lens quality will be the least of your worries. Optically, the kit lenses are quite good. Here's a good thread on the subject: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/356712

Don't go crazy with filters and accessories to start. Get a good bag, a nice tripod with a removable ballhead, a 2GB card, and some cleaning supplies.

 

well i have a few extra hundred in my bank account so if it would be better to get the D80 i could get it, just would leave a pretty big hole in my pocket

would you suggest i get the D80 over the XTi?

and what do you mean for the tripod with removeable ball head?

and what do you mean by cleaning supplies? do you mean the dust that gets on the sensor? not sure how you clean the sensor, should i go with the XTi cause it has that built in cleaner?

 

The D80 and XTi from an image quality standpoint will be very similar. The D80 has a larger body which is nice if you have large hands, but it's also heavier. The XTi will have slightly better high-iso performance, but from what I've read so far, the D80 is no slouch in that department. I really won't recommend either one over the other, you'll have to decide which is best for you. You need to try both and get a feel for the controls.

There's nothing wrong with the D70s or Rebel XT either, so if you're going to save a few hundred bucks, then go for it.

A ballhead lets you position your camera on your tripod at any angle by simply turning one knob. It's handy, but you can do with a cheaper 3-way head if you want to save a few bucks. Whatever tripod you go with, make sure you can change the head to something else down the road.

As for cleaning supplies, I would recommend a bulb blower (looks like a mini turkey baster), a microfiber lens cloth, and a brush. The anti-dust features are nice on the XTi, and I'm sure we'll see it on all of their lineup eventually. However, most dust will blow off with the bulb blower.

 

no one else wants to chime in on this?

 

This was one of my dilemas before deciding on the XTi. I went with Canon because of past experience with them. The buttons and features are similar to my A620. I was just more comfortable with it than the D80. So far I have been quite impressed with the XTi and really love it.

I also considered the 30D but it would have cost me a whole lot more and I was quite content with what the XTi had to offer.

Anyway, it was probably not much help to you but that was my personal experience. I cannot recommend one over the other as I myself had a hard time deciding and just went with what felt good and my gut feeling. I think I've made a good choice.

 

whats a good store to check out the rebel xti and d80 and if possible the rebel xt and d70s ?

 

The XTi and D80 are starting to hit stores now, but they're still in short supply. Most stores will still have the D70s and XT in stock for you to play with. Even the Best Buy near me carries all the major brands of DSLRs (although I would never buy from them).

 

You're already getting some excellent advice. Time to go to the store and handle the cameras, see how they feel.

 

hmm... i have a coupon from circuit city for 10% off and then a free $50 dollar gift card for purchases of 500-999,

sounds like i should pick one up this weekend

and then use the gift card for a bigger card when that comes.

 

i think im gonna go with the XTi, the D80 seemed a little to big for my hands and heavy, the XTi felt about right, althought a little bit too small

ohh yea does it come with a memory card already or would i have to buy one when i purchase the camera?

 

It'll probably come with a pathetically small token memory card - you will want to buy at least a 1GB card, if not a 2GB.

 

aww poo, cause so ill have to wait to use it then, cause i want to use that free 50 dollar gift card to get the memory card

 

Get the memory card and use the $50 to get another lens or some other accessory (like a bag) later on. It's fairly silly to have a DSLR and only enough memory to take 10 pictures.

 

yea good point, damn

 

hm... so circuit city has the XTi for 854.99 and then i got a coupon for an additional 10% off, which brings my price to 769.49 before tax

after tax its 829.13 seems pretty good to me because at teh regular price of 899.99 itd be 969.74 after tax

im placing my order as we speak

 

dont really know how to use this camera YET so here are 2 pictures

 

Congrats on the camera. I wish I could have gotten the same deal as you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy my Xti.

 

nice deal....where did you get the 10% off coupon from? is it still working?

 

it was in a email i got from circuit city, i think its a one time use coupon thou